Texas Township Board of Trustees OKs funds for farmers market

TEXAS TOWNSHIP — The Texas Township Board of Trustees has committed $210,000 to build a permanent structure for the township farmers market, Fresh on Q.

After on an estimate from Planning Commission member Larry Loeks, board members said that could be enough money to put up a basic frame and roof. The township could then apply for grant money to enclose the structure and add such features as landscaping, a bandstand, electricity and plumbing.

Larry VanderBeek, a member of the Farmers’ Market Committee and the Downtown Development Authority, said the committee wanted a board commitment to get something built for the 2010 market. Waiting another year or two for grant money would raise the risk of losing for the project, he said.

Farmers’ Market Committee member Donna McClurkan suggested a year-round farmers market. She said several vendors had approached her about the concept and that she wanted to gauge the board’s level of interest before pursuing the idea any further.

Board members indicated they were willing to entertain a concrete proposal.

In other action Monday, the board approved construction plans for the Rudgate Trails development, southeast of the Texas Drive and 10th Street intersection. That means Allen Edwin Homes is now cleared to begin work on the land, utilities and roads. One more approval is needed before homes can go up.

The development connects to Annandale Drive and 10th Street. Previously, all construction traffic was instructed to use 10th Street. Allen Edwin’s first step, however, will be to install streets, sewers and curb for the 24 lots on Annandale Trail, which means construction traffic might have to use Annandale Drive when weather conditions make the unpaved route to 10th Street impassable.